And You Thought Only Republicans Were On The Payroll

"So far this year in the House, 50 Democrats helped pass class action reform...42 joined in legislation repealing the death tax, 73 supported the bankruptcy bill, 42 Democrats broke ranks on the Real ID bill, and last week, 41 joined the Republicans on the final version of the energy bill."

As David Sirota says: "... a true badge of disgrace for the Democratic Party."

Think Progress asked, regarding the bankruptcy bill:

Why would 18 Senators, including co-sponsors of the original measure, vote for a tougher pro-consumer measure in 1991, and then vote against a weaker measure in 2005? Could it be that the more than $2 million these Senators took from the credit card/banking industry in the interim made them change their mind?

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)1991-1996 contributions from commercial banks: $88,9001997-2002 contributions from commercial banks: $170,777
Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE)1991-1996 contributions from commercial banks: $73,5751997-2002 contributions from commercial banks: $33,675
Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MO)1991-1996 Commercial Banks: $24,7501997-2002 Commercial Banks: $40,100
Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM)Spoke in favor of D'Amato Amendment during floor debate1991-1996 Commercial Banks: $89,1201997-2002 Commercial Banks: $66,290
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)1997-2002 Commercial Banks: $123,300
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)1997-2002 Commercial Banks: $183,102
Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS)1991-1996 Commercial Banks: $70,5751997-2002 Commercial Banks: $80,800
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)1997-2002 Commercial Banks: $235,228
Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD)1991-1996 Commercial Banks: $84,8001997-2002 Commercial Banks: $55,800
Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL)1991-1996 Commercial Banks: $246,5331997-2002 Commercial Banks: $215,600
Sen. Arlen Specter(R-PA)Co-sponsored the 1991 D'Amato amendment1997-2002 Commercial Banks: $105,225
Sen. John Warner (R-VA)1997-2002 Commercial Banks: $43,800

(Courtesy of Talking Points Memo Bankruptcy)

The first thing the Democratic party needs to do is kick out those who believe their constituancy is Big Business.